CHRONICLE chief sports writer Lee Ryder gives his thoughts on the news that Fabricio Coloccini has told Newcastle United he wants to leave the club.

The Chronicle understands that the NUFC skipper wants to leave for “personal matters”.

Coloccini joined Newcastle in 2008 from Deportivo La Caruna, but reports are that he desperately wants to go back to Argentina to be with his family.

South American club San Lorenzo have expressed their interest in the 30-year-old, with their president, Matias Lammens, saying: "He represents much more than football – he played here six months and was champion, his father works at the club and is a fan. The deadline is next week but we cannot do anything crazy with the budget."